Ancient Greece and Colorful Turkey Tour

Itinerary

• Day 1: Athens, Arrival

  Upon arrival at Athens Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Athens. Rest of day is free on your own to explore this romantic city.

  • Athens

• Day 2: Athens - Delphi - Kalabaka

  Morning drive north-west to Delphi, which was hailed as the center of the world and the religious center by the ancients Greeks. Guided visit to the archaeological sites, including the Temple of Apollo, Theater, Market, the famous Omphalos, and Delphi Museum with the amazing sculptures. Then driving through central Greece we arrive at Kalabaka for the night.

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  • Kalabaka

• Day 3: Kalabaka - Meteora - Athens

  Guided visit to the unique Meteora in the morning. We will see two Byzantine Monasteries standing between the earth and the sky, atop huge rocks and containing historical and religious treasures. In the afternoon, return to Athens with a short stop at Leonidas monument at Thermopylae.

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  • Athens

• Day 4: Athens - Istanbul

  Morning private Athens city tour with a visit to the Constitution Square (Syntagma), the House of Parliament, the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier and the National Library. Continue on to watching the Evzones in their picturesque uniform and the Presidential Palace, the Panathenaic Stadium where is famed for holding the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, the Hadrian's Arch, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and finally Acropolis. Explore the Propylaea, Temple of Athena Nike, Erechtheion, and finally Parthenon. Today's tour concludes at the new Museum of Acropolis.

  After the tour, you will be transferred to Athens Airport for your flight to Istanbul. On arrival, be picked up and transferred to your hotel.

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  • Istanbul

• Day 5: Istanbul City Tour

  Topkapi Palace will usher in the new day! Described as "a model of a royal palace during the Ottoman Empire," this UNESCO World Heritage Site was once a royal residence and is now a museum available to the public. It is famed for its royal paintings, jewelry, and manuscripts in Islamic calligraphy. We will also visit the Imperial Harem in the Palace to see how noble ladies and princes lived during that period.

  The Hagia Sophia, the next architectural masterpiece we will see, embodies the majesty of the Byzantine Empire and is embellished with marble from Anatolia and columns imported from the temples of Ephesus and Egypt. Then visit the Blue Mosque, a landmark in Istanbul that is entirely coated in blue and white tiles. Next, explore the Basilica Cistern, the largest of the medieval cisterns beneath Istanbul. Afterward, you will see the Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpentine Column, and other notable features of the historic Hippodrome, the Byzantine Palace.

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  • Istanbul

• Day 6: Istanbul - Cappadocia

  After breakfast, fly shortly to Cappadocia to explore the breathtaking fairy chimneys in Pasabagi Valley and Devrent Valley. In the afternoon, you will see the stunning Goreme Open Air Museum's cave churches, a great example of Byzantine art. Proceed towards the Uchisar Castle, renowned for its sweeping views across Cappadocia. Today's adventure will culminate with a visit to Pigeon Valley, so named because of the numerous caverns on its rock walls, all different sizes and densely packed.

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  • Cappadocia

• Day 7: Cappadocia, the Subterranean City

  The first visit today is to Ortahisar, a huge community carved into a hill. The subterranean city of Kaymakli, today's next highlight, was established in the seventh century by Christians fleeing Roman slaughter. The next stop is Cavusin Valley, one of Cappadocia's oldest settlements, known for its historic cave houses and unusual rock formations. Then you'll spend the afternoon exploring the Red Valley and its wineries. The main agricultural activity in this region is grape farming, making it one of the greatest places to learn about Turkey's wine history.

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  • Cappadocia

• Day 8: Cappadocia, Departure

  After breakfast, private transfer to the airport for departure flight. 

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